UPDATED NOV 12TH, 2025:
On October 7, 2025, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the agricultural well moratorium in the Focus Area for up to 10 months and 15 days, which leaves it in place until August 2026.
This extra time allows county staff to review groundwater conditions, land use conversions, and well permitting. A monthly working group of stakeholders, including farmers, helps guide future well permitting policies. Meetings are open to the public, both in-person and online.
On November 4, 2025, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution, allowing farmers in the focus area to replace wells that stop working without violating the moratorium.
I would like to replace my well and I am in the Focus Area, how do I know if I am eligible?
You may replace your well during the moratorium if it is similar or smaller than your old well, pumps the same or less water, is on the same property, and your old well is properly abandoned. The permit also prevents switching to water-intensive perennial crops in the area served by the well. Other exempt wells include small domestic wells, public supply wells, monitoring wells, and minor alterations that don’t increase pumping. Contact Yolo County Environmental Health to apply or confirm eligibility.
What if my property is partly inside a Focus Area and I want to drill a well?
If you apply for a well permit for a well inside the Focus Area, then you will be subject to restrictions under the moratorium. However, if you apply for a permit to drill a well on the part of your property that is outside of the Focus Area, the moratorium does not apply.
On August 26, 2025 Yolo County’s Board of Supervisors adopted a temporary 45-day moratorium on the approval of new agricultural water wells in Focus Areas of Yolo County. See the ordinance here: [link]
Does this affect the entire county?
No. Only the Focus Areas with identified groundwater concerns are affected.
What are the Focus Areas of Yolo County and where are they?
Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) identified specific “Focus Areas” where groundwater conditions are most uncertain and where groundwater pumping could lead to additional issues. These areas often have limited data on aquifer levels, which makes it difficult to predict the long-term impacts of new wells.
Interactive map on Focus Areas here: [link]
Does this moratorium affect domestic wells?
No. This Moratorium affects only agricultural wells, and does not affect domestic wells.
I’m in the Focus Area and need a minor alteration on my well. Can I still apply for that?
As long as it does not increase the discharge rate for the well, or significantly alter the depth, minor alterations are allowable.
What if I want to apply for a new well in the Focus Area?
You can submit an application for a well permit to Yolo County Division of Environmental Health, but new wells will not be approved during the moratorium except in cases of economic or health-related hardship.
See Page 8 of the ordinance for information on how to apply for a hardship exemption.
What about applications already submitted?
Pending applications will remain in the queue but cannot move forward until the moratorium ends or new rules are adopted.
What is being done in the meantime to support groundwater sustainability?
The moratorium provides a short pause to review groundwater conditions and consider potential updates to the well permitting process.
Contact info and more information:
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- CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers)
- Lan Ngo, Groundwater Community Engagement Contractor
- (916) 245-6519, lan@caff.org
- YSGA (Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency)
- wellpermits@yolosga.org
- Yolo County Board of Supervisors
- clerkoftheboard@yolocounty.gov (for letters)
- CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers)
- Department of Environmental Health, Yolo County
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- April Meneghetti, (530) 666-8597, April.Meneghetti@yolocounty.gov
Acknowledgement and thanks:
We want to share our gratitude to all the individuals and organizations involved in this process including the farmers, Board of Supervisors, Yolo County staff, YSGA, and community members who are working together to support groundwater sustainability. Your participation and collaboration help protect local water resources while supporting the long-term viability of small farms in Yolo County.
Want to learn more? Check out our Free Guide: Understanding the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan